Universal Periodic Review
The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a unique process which involves a review of the human rights records of all UN Member States. The UPR is a State-driven process, under the auspices of the Human Rights Council, which provides the opportunity for each State to declare what actions they have taken to improve the human rights situations in their countries and to fulfil their human rights obligations.
As one of the main features of the Council, the UPR is designed to ensure equal treatment for every country when their human rights situations are assessed. The ultimate aim of this mechanism is to improve the human rights situation in all countries and address human rights violations wherever they occur. Currently, no other universal mechanism of this kind exists.
Latest news
Latest press releases related to the UPR
UPR WG 42 concludes its session
3 February 2023
The HRC President, Ambassador Vaclav Balek, at the end of UPR WG 42 session, points out : “The Universal Periodic Review provides for a unique space for meaningful engagement on human rights.
With 100% participation, the UPR is making a positive impact at the national level. It will be our collective responsibility to ensure that human rights are increasingly enjoyed by all.”
The Universal Periodic Review as a problem-solving tool – closing the technical cooperation gap
31 January 2023
Play recording (2hrs 9 Mins / Password: 7Cg9n53d)
Mayors, human rights and the UPR
27 January 2023
Play recording (1hr 19 mins / Password: MhmaP2c6)
TIPs on the role of local and regional governments in UPR
We are beginning the 4th cycle equipped with strengthened resources and capacity to make the UPR an even more relevant and impactful human rights instrument for all…
7 November 2022: HRC President, Ambassador Federico Villegas: “I have the honour to declare open the forty-first session of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, which marks the start of the 4th cycle. We will begin the session with the review of Bahrain this morning, and the review of Ecuador in the afternoon. Before starting the proceedings, I wish to highlight that we have come a long way since the establishment of this important mechanism of the Council, which has contributed significantly to making a positive impact on the human rights situation in all countries around the world. It is our collective responsibility to continue building on these achievements. During the 51st regular session, the Council adopted by consensus Resolution 51/30 on the strengthening of the voluntary funds for the universal periodic review. Extensive discussions were also held on the duration of the Working Group sessions, which prompted the Division of Conference Management to reassess the availability of financial resources and resume servicing the meetings of the UPR in accordance with the provisions of decision 17/119. With these positive developments, we are beginning the 4th cycle equipped with strengthened resources and capacity to make the UPR an even more relevant and impactful human rights instrument for all”.
Side event: “Supporting States, Realizing Rights: the 4th cycle of the UPR and 15th Anniversary of the Voluntary Fund for Financial and Technical Assistance in the implementation of the universal periodic review”
3 November, New York
For more information, the event has been recorded and is available for viewing through webcast.
Flyer and programme of the event: PDF
6th OIF - OHCHR Seminar on the UPR
6-7 September 2022
Programme - PDF: Français
Opening statements by:
- HRC President – Ambassador Federico Villegas - PDF: Français;
- President of the Group of Francophone Ambassadors in Geneva – Ambassador Makaila Ahmad of Chad - PDF: Français;
- ASG UNDP, Director of the Crisis Bureau Ms. Asako Okai - PDF: English;
- DCO LAC Director Mr. Roberto Valent - PDF: English;
- OHCHR, UPR Chief Mr. Gianni Magazzeni - PDF: Français.
Main recommendations of the Seminar - PDF: Français
15th Anniversary of the UPR Voluntary Fund on Implementation
This year marks the 15th anniversary of resolution 6/17, which established the Voluntary Fund for Financial and Technical Assistance in the implementation of the universal periodic review. The fund supports countries, in particular least developed countries and small island developing States, to implement recommendations emanating from the universal periodic review in consultation with, and with the consent of, the country concerned. Since its establishment, the Fund has supported activities in 76 countries and allowing the organization of 8 regional workshops to promote the sharing of good practices. For a more detailed overview about the Voluntary Fund, please click here.
Repository of UN good practices on how the UPR supports sustainable development
“As the third cycle of the Universal Periodic Review process draws to a close – maintaining 100% participation by States in the reviews, with the involvement of all branches of the Government at the highest level - we see great merit in launching this Repository of UN good practices on how the Universal Periodic Review process supports sustainable development. As a living document, the Repository captures how the UPR has been able to advance the promotion and protection of human rights and to secure greater compliance, in law and in practice, with international human rights norms or with commitments made by States in UN and regional human rights mechanisms, in all regions of the world.
Captured from over 60 experiences shared from across the UN system, key findings show that UNCTs and UN entities in all regions are supporting governments to engage throughout the UPR process and integrating the UPR into UN programming and planning in line with their specific mandates. UPR recommendations are increasingly integrated and aligned in UN efforts at achieving the Agenda 2030 for sustainable development and the UPR has been essential to support dialogues and advocacy efforts by UNCTs and UN entities, as a practical problem-solving tool to address sensitive and priority development challenges, leading to concrete results.
The predictability of the UPR, with the calendar set well in advance, over a period of 4.5 years, the sovereign decisions made by States in front of their peers, the information provided by the UN and other stakeholders for the reviews and the tools developed as a result of the Secretary-General’s Call to Action for Human Rights – especially the UPR Practical Guidance, [العربية | 中文 | English | Français | Русский | Español] have encouraged greater coordination, implementation and follow-up action within the structures of the State. They have also increasingly engendered the pro-active participation of local and regional governments, national human rights institutions and civil society, before, during, and after the reviews.
With the fourth cycle of the UPR commencing in November 2022, and with a focus on enhanced implementation of recommendations received and accepted by the State, the role of Resident Coordinators and the entire UN System becomes even more relevant in maximizing the use of this human rights mechanism as an entry point for national policies and action on human rights. We encourage colleagues across the UN system to take inspiration from this initial set of concrete, positive, national experiences”. (Foreword signed by OHCHR, UNDP and DCO)
Meetings and events
Fourth UPR cycle (2022-2027)
Third UPR cycle
See relevant third cycle documents, including:
- country-related reports;
- letters by the High Commissioner for Human Rights to Foreign Ministers; and
- webcast videos.
UPR infographics
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| UPR Timeline | UPR Review Process | UPR Pre- and Post-Review Session Documentation |
Contact information
Further information may be sought at the following address:
For States:
For Stakeholders:
- UPRsubmissions@ohchr.org
- hrcngo@ohchr.org (NGOs)
- nhri@ohchr.org (NHRIs)
For UPR Secretariat:
- Mr. Gianni Magazzeni, Chief, UPR Branch
gianni.magazzeni1@un.org